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After many fond farewells, we proceeded to the small town of Bricqueville proper where the  mayor organized a small ceremony at the town’s war memorial. It was attended by local war veterans holding flags, an elementary school class, and several local townspeople. The mayor gave a great speech honoring Richard Lynch and placed a wreath in his honor. The ceremony was followed by a champagne reception in the town hall. We were delighted to answer questions about America from the school children and were disappointed when Alain told us that we must proceed with the day.
 We drove 7 miles north to Regneville where their mayor greeted us and took us on a tour of the waterfront. Georges pointed out the exact spot where Uncle Dick’s body was respectfully recovered on a sandy bank at low tide, just to the left of the Regneville Lighthouse. His body was placed on a ladder and carried to the town hall where he was placed in a coffin draped with the American flag and lay in state for two days before his Catholic burial in the local churchyard. That same town hall was flying the American flag for the occasion and when we stepped inside, there was a photo of Uncle Dick on the wall and a bouquet of flowers beneath a sign listing his name and that his body rested here in 1944. It was such an overwhelming feeling that we were brought to tears again and our escorts left us for a period of time to reflect. I sobbed with both sorrow and joy as I said, “I was afraid that he would be forgotten…but he is definitely not forgotten!”.
 After a few minutes of silent prayer, we exited and visited with our hosts before being asked to follow them to the church. As we walked up a winding road towards the old stone church, we were so thankful that the trip concluded so well, but as we rounded the bend, a large crowd had gathered of 75 or more. Among the many townspeople, there was also a priest, 8 flag bearers, the mayors of Bricqueville and Regneville, a deputy of the French National Assembly (Congressman), a journalist, two musicians, and veterans of the French Resistance. It didn’t occur to us that everyone was there to honor Uncle Dick. We thought perhaps that Mass had just ended or there had been a funeral that day. We followed the procession to the cemetery where a short memorial service was held. On behalf of our family, my husband read several prayers in English. Both the French and American national anthems were played and moving speeches were made. An empty casket was draped with the American Flag.
The ceremony culminated in the unveiling of a marble plaque that is translated: “In Memory of Richard T. Lynch: Fallen for our Freedom – July 1944.” The plaque is mounted on the outer wall of the 12th century church facing the cemetery where Uncle Dick rested for 4 years. My Dad was so overcome he could only say thank you, but there could be no doubt of his appreciation. His tears said all that was needed. With that, the ceremony was closed and we adjourned to a champagne reception in the town hall. We were presented with several gifts: Normandy caramels, shortbreads, a hardback book on the region, and a handmade commemorative booklet of the occasion. Perhaps even more moving, we met the daughter of the man who organized the first memorial service in 1944 that was depicted on the old postcard. In another twist, Georges and his assistants managed to locate an elderly woman who, as a young girl, helped her father, a fisherman, recover the body. She, too, paid her respects and wished our family well! She vividly remembered that day and gave a written testimonial for the booklet.
Under the leadership of Alain Chesnel, grateful French patriots paid tribute to a young man from Akron, Ohio, who came to a land he did not know to help free a people he had never met. These citizens offered hours of their own time to research the last day of Uncle Dick’s life. Not only did they locate living witnesses, but also organized a moving memorial service and two gracious receptions. Through their efforts, honors were accorded our fallen hero and an enduring friendship between free nations was nurtured. We can now count many new life-long friends as a result of this incredible journey. Vive La France and God Bless America.
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